Something is killing my ducks

[marxette]

My ducks are inside a chain link fence and inside what we thought was a secure duck barn. Yesterday morning we found a dead pekin inside when we went to let them out. Checked all over and couldn't find a way in for anything large enough to do that much damage. This morning we found one of our mallards had suffered the same fate. We plan to move them to another structure and set a trap inside that barn. I have a couple of questions. What do you use to bait the trap? How do I dispose of the predator, we don't own a gun.

Thank you in advance. This forum has always been my "go to" when I have a problem.

 

[Flyinbolts]

My ducks are inside a chain link fence and inside what we thought was a secure duck barn. Yesterday morning we found a dead pekin inside when we went to let them out. Checked all over and couldn't find a way in for anything large enough to do that much damage. This morning we found one of our mallards had suffered the same fate. We plan to move them to another structure and set a trap inside that barn. I have a couple of questions. What do you use to bait the trap? How do I dispose of the predator, we don't own a gun.

Thank you in advance. This forum has always been my "go to" when I have a problem.

Were there marks on the ducks that passed?

Do you have windows? Vents? Solid floors? Remember weasels and mink are VERY small. I've seen them get through chainlink without being phased. Snakes also and they're smaller.

You likely won't trap a snake, anything else an egg covered in peanut butter I've found is quite effective.

As far as disposing of the threat - you're going to have to determine what it is and your local laws. Animal control isn't going to help with wild animals. If you really want to do it with catch and release you'll have to find a rehabber. I have no clue how or where to find them aside from for ducks, geese, swans, etc...

 

[marxette]

One of the ducks had all of the breast meat gone. The other was just a mess of bones and feathers. The cracks in the barn are up at the top of the wall by the eaves, no more than an inch. Solid floor, aluminum windows with screens. Vents on the roof with no cracks. We have sliding door on one end with hardware screen on the inside, it was kind of loose. We think our culprit pushed its way in there.

 

[bibi87]

maybe a raccoon? their hands are very strong. they can pull apart chicken wire or unsecured hardware cloth.

you'll want a live trap like a Havahart https://www.havahart.com/store/animal-traps I think you can buy traps like these at Ace or Home Depot or stores like that.

with a live trap you can see who the culprit is and adjust your security accordingly. As for killing animals without a gun... just drop the trap in a bucket of water and walk away. pretty gross but so is killing a duck and eating it in front of the flock.

 

[BeanBoy]

I agree that it could possibly be a raccoon. A can of sardines with holes poked in the top of the can or cat food can be used for bait.

 

[marxette]

We set up a trap last night with dry cat food. There was a raccoon in there this morning. We'll secure the hardware screen frame better but we'll keep trapping for a while and leave the ducks in the smaller structure. Thanks again for the help. I like the idea of the can with holes in the top.

 

[marxette]

I accidently posted this twice and couldn't figure out how to delete the other one.